Gorilla surprises zoo by acting as surrogate mom

POWELL, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Zoo says a baby gorilla in need of a surrogate mother has bonded surprisingly with a female gorilla who showed no interest in parenting her own seven offspring.

The young male gorilla, named Kamoli (kam-AH'-lee), was born at the central Ohio facility last May and was mostly ignored by his mother. The zoo says the gorilla that took over his care died, and another female from the same social group has filled in, much to the surprise of caretakers.

Assistant curator Audra Meinelt says in a statement that the younger gorilla finds comfort from his new surrogate mom, named Toni, and that she seems to be the happiest she has been in years.